Dirigible vehicle



May 20, 1952 c. L. JASPER DIRIGIBLE VEHICLE Filed March 17, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 BNVENTQR awws L. JASPER ATTORNEY May 20, 1952 c. JASPER DIRIGIBLE VEHICLE Filed March 17, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ENVENTQR CLE?U L. JA$%R ATTQRNEY Patented May 20, 1952 "UNITED STATES PATENT oeFie-E IDIRIGIBLE VEHICLE cletuslLhJasper, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application'March 17, 1947; Serial 'N0; 735,226

.iThiS :invention relates todirigible vehiclesgmore partieularly to tan-improved. vehiclefonichildren. The vehicles 2 which are rnow eproduced .sfor younger. :childrenvgenerally considered; arehcomprisedewithin. two:categories-namely; z'snowz'ves hicles su'ch as :themodern rugged, sled structures and landyehicles sue-has bicycles, tricycles; wagonszor. other such'ifour awheel units. The modern sledszwhichembody flexible. runners; to: facilitate steeringare undoubtedly much more thrilling to children. :.The :modern. sled; embodying flexible runnersxwhich facilitate :oontrolled steering Einsures youngwchildrenthrilling and exciting sport. Aidrawbaok ofi thesnowsled, as is :known; .is, the

factxithataoncesiti hasa-ttained any. considerable speedzit isdiflicult tostop. While these two generalatypes. of :vehicles have; been -.somewhat. improved-through the yearssuch factors: as better design and improved esthetic. appeal they areeach inherently restricted :.to selected .terrain. The sno.w..vehicles, xor. sleds; present the. advantage of exciting: speeds with reasonable :degree of -..safety but aregof course,restrictedto'northern latitudes and generally may. be. enjoyed only over .a' brief season. The land'svehicles-rsuohas wagons, tricycles ands-the like .havealonger seasonal use but are somewhatdimited=inlrespectl to .terrain requiring; for safeenjoymentrelatiyely smooth surfaces presented: bymodern pavements.

The :purpose of: the present :invention .is to devisezainew childrens .vehicle whichcombinesthe advantages of the prolonged or extensive seasonal uselofathe; Wheeled yehiclesand the characteristicallyttthrilling rsmooth..undulating. speed of .a snow .sled. .In addition; to.- .providing .the: riding characteristics loina snow sled: the improvedvehicleis eminentlysaferlbeeauseof thefactzthatrit may notronlybe :more readily directed .or. steered but-inlay;- also zbe. completely :decelerated on-arrested. aIn vieW. of this, as will beapprecia-ted, the vehiclet may be used on hillsides havinga steeper gradethan would be. safe'for. snow sleds.

As will be seen more fully hereinafter, :these novelieharacteristics are. established by rovid'ing,

so'tospeamalandzvehicle .with abuilt-in running surfacegsu'ch' as a continuous, and preferably a resilient -trackwhereby the vehicle freely "moves down inclined surfaeea'without propulsion and traverses inequalities in terrain, psuch-ias minor elevations or'depressionssmallditches "and the like; wi mirfimum c to the passen er. .iAs Willbe seen more fullyihereinafter, such. ayehi'cle presents .many advantages such as optimum safety easy dirigibilityeand. quiet-smooth operation.

. ordertto enable. a moreready comprehension pith-e-invention; a typical illustrative embodiment is shown. in a the accmpanying :idrawings, .in which:

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Fig. 1 is a top view of the vehicle partially :in plan and 'partlyiinsection Fig. 2 a is aside view :partly: in elevation.: and part-1yinhorizontalsection ":Fig. .3 isa rear elevationoftheyehicle Fig.4 isan. enlarged partial crossesection taken online 4...;4 of FigiZ -Fig. 5 is a detail ;ofw.the'- bumperstructurenand Fig. 6 is an enlarged; crossvsectional detail .of .a modified. design of guidev roller and; the cooperative belt or track.

As. will beobserved.- fronnan inspection .of the drawings the novelsunit. comprisesessentially a sled type ofstructurexprovidedewith ground-engaging surfaces comprised lof M endless belts ;;or tracks, or equivalent units, running 'freely-.ove1' idler guide rollers. Likethesnowsled the vehicle is thus adapted to coast or runomany. surfaeeloi' sufilcient inclination or grade and at a speed genera-11y proportional to-the grade of the terrain whiohis traversed. Sucha vehiolethus presents the thrilling chracteristics of a'sled --or,toboggan ride but is. not limited to use -on-- snow: covered surfaces.

With this=c0ncept in view -it -will :beappreeiated that a vehicle of thisgneraltypemaybeproduced with relatively Wide variations in design and by utilizing different types ;ofstructural material. The particular unit shown in -thedrawings is given as illustrative of the fundamental principles involved and comprehends suchmodifications of size, shape and materials of construction asmight -be deemed desirable by any particularmanufacturer.

As 'shownin the drawings the vehicle comprises essentially a chassis frame including the-parallel longitudinal beams I and thecross beams 2 which latter are rigidly secured -to;the' longitudinal beams. This frame supports the-running gear which consists of a series of --upper idler rollers 3 and aseriesof lowerguide-rollers kwhioh latter are resiliently -intereonnectedorassociated with the A frame. -Thecontinuous ground --eh gaging track- 5 passes freelyover the-guide rollers. The steering mechanism may be of any simple effective-type such-as the-pivotedsteering levers-*6 and l and associated linkage so designed as to independently operate pivoted brake shoesffi adapted to: frictionally engageand-- retard the tracks} on :each side of the vehicle A desideratum in this type of vehicle :is :light weight and for thisreasonr the;structural.elementsare.nreferab sfebr catea sman-stren th, li ht we tat rials.suchza suita lealu iuum m a lo It wi lwbe und zsi ndrn course, that, if desired,-;other-- materials; ofgcenstruction such aslow carbon;.- steel=or;allo t els may be utilized-for some of,gtheelementsp jibe vehicle. I

Consideredinmoredetail the-chassis'includes the box type beams I which preferably are extruded aluminum or magnesium alloys. These beams are formed with the upper flange Ill and the lateral or side parallel flanges II and i2, as will be seen hereinafter, directly support the upper idler guide rollers 3 and resiliently support the lower guide rollers 4. As will be observed, the lateral flanges II and I2 of the beam I are relatively deep. This serves to increase resistance to bending loads and also provides a support and housing for the upper rollers as well as establishing a wide contact or abutment area for the cross beams 2. The upper flange I is so shaped on the outside edge as to provide a hand gripping flange continuous along. the top edge of the vehicle.

The cross beams are preferably. formed with the tapered top flange l3,.side flanges I4 and the tapered web I4 to reduce weight and provide a maximum of clearance above the ground. The side flanges are preferably as deep as the contiguous flanges I2 of the horizontal beam I. The longitudinal and cross beams are suitably secured together to form a strong rigid structure. This may be achieved by bolting, riveting or preferably by welding the units together.

As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 2 and 4 the running gear is resiliently connected with the chassis to insure smooth operation and adequate shock absorption. The upper rear roller 3 and its corresponding lower rear roller 4 are mounted in a rugged journal frame member 5. This comprises the connected parallel side or wall members l6 and I1. As will be seen in Fig. 2, the sides of the unit are of suificient width and are specially designed or conformed so as to provide full safety against accidents caused through a shearing, or scissors, action developed by the proximity with main beam side walls I I and I2, and a guard over the major portion of the lower guide roller and the section of the belt or track which extends between the two rollers. With this design there is substantially no possibility of a child inserting his fingers in the running gear.

As will be observed, the sides of the upper section of the journal frame are formed with apertures I8 which register with aligned slots I9 in the vertical flanges II and I2 of the longitudinal chassis member. The sleeve or bushing 20 is fitted in the aperture I8 and serves to mount the V-shaped upper roller 3. The journal frame and its associated roller 3 is mounted on the chassis frame by means of the axle or stub shaft 2|. As shown the stub shaft may be extended and provided with screw threads for the reception of bolts whereby the shaft may be moved and locked in any predetermined position in slot I9, so as to take up the slack or stretch in the track which may occur after some use. The end thrust hearings or washers 22 are preferably inserted between theside walls of the journal member and the adjacent flanges I I and I2. These thrust rings may be apertured to receive the locking pins 23 to secure the rings to the stub shaft if the shaft, by preference, is cut off flush with flanges II and I2.

The lower end of the journal support similarly is apertured to receive the axle 24 which is locked to the journal support in any suitable manner as by the pins 25. The lower roller 4 is mounted on the axle through the medium of the bushing 26. The rollers 3 and 4, as will be noted, are each provided with the oil holes 21' and 28 respectively, to insure proper lubrication of the rollers. It is apparent that, if desired, the sleeve or bushing bearings herein described may be replaced by suitable roller bearing mountings with consequent lower frictional losses and commensurate higher speeds.

As noted previously, shock absorbing means are interposed between the running gear and the chassis. As will be appreciated, this may be of any desired type which is typified herein by the simple form of leaf spring structure shown. As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the leaf springs 29 and i 30 are provided on each side of the upper roller 3.

At their forward ends these springs are suitably secured to the under side of the frame member I. This may be done by bolting each end of the springs to the frame, insertion of the ends of the springs in slots and the like. The rearward portion of these springs, as will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 2, are adapted to contact the journal frame support for free sliding movement thereon. The journal frame is extended in such a way as to serve as a bearing surface for the free ends of the spring. A lug 3| is also provided on the journal frame which serves as a limiting stop to the downward movement of the journal frame and its associated lower roller. For this purpose the lug projects laterally beyond the flanges I6 and I! and is adapted to abut the beam I at a predetermined position in its arc of travel. This may be achieved by providing the chassis frame with an integral or detachable projection 32 adapted to contact the lug 3| when the springs are in the uncompressed or slightly compressed condition. As shown in Fig. 2, the journal frame spring bearing surface formed bythe upper surface of lug 3I is a cam or curvilinear surface to reduce frictional resistance to the sliding move.

ment of the springs thereon. This frictional resistance may be diminished further by forming the spring contacting surface of the journal frame, or the complete journal frame of an oil impregnated sintered powdered metal of the oilless bearing type. It will be appreciated at this point also that such type of oilless bearings may be employed in other parts of the structure where simple means to reduce frictional losses are indicated.

If desired, and as is shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle may be provided with means to remove mud or other extraneous matter which tendsto adhere to the tracks 5. This may comprise any simple scraper located at any convenient position on the journal frame. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the scraper 33 is secured between the sides I6 and I1 of the journal frame and is spaced slightly from the track so as to continuously remove adhered material during operation of the vehicle.

The rear unit of the running gear, described in detail above, is'substantially duplicated at the forward end of the vehicle. In the central position, as will be seen in Fig. 2, the journal frame I5 is mounted. This is a substantial duplicate of the unit at the rear of the vehicle except that the upper guide roller 3 is omitted and the brake unit 8 is mounted in its place on the shaft 2I.' This unit comprises essentially a bell crank lever, the lower arm 34 of which is connected to the tension wire 35 of the brake linkag and the upper arm 36 which is adapted to contact the track 5 to retard or arrest the movement of the track. The upper surface of the arm 36 is curved or camshaped to apply a controlled braking pressure and is V-shaped in cross-section to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the rubber track 5.

direction of arrow B the brake on the opposite or'left side is applied without affecting the brake on the opposite side.

As previously explained, the vehicle may be decelerated by simultaneously applying the brakes on each side. This may be done by simultaneously moving levers 6 and 1 either toward the rear or'toward the front of the sled. The degree or extent of brake application will, of course, determine the rate of deceleration of the vehicle.

Since the chassis of the vehicle is constructed of metal it is desirable to provide a non-metallic to'p covering so that it may not become uncomfortably-hot or cold. Such a cover may be constructed of suitable materials such as hardwood, plastic sheets and the like. As shown, this may comprise. a series of sheets 66, 61 and 62 of suitable material which are attached to the longitudinal frame members I and cross beams 2 in any suitable manner. These are independently mounted and are spacedapart slightly to permit slight weaving of the under frame. Preferably,

as shown, the a top surfacing extends the full length of the vehicle and the forward edges extend under the bumper to provide a full flush top surface. This provides maximum comfort coupled with optimum safety since all the operating mechanism is housed below the surface and is thus inaccessible to the child using the vehicle.

It is to be observed that, in order to insure :1.

smooth operation, a minimum of three sets of idlers on each side of the vehicle is required. If only two sets of idlers were utilized the rider would be subjected to considerable jolting in passing over small ditches or obstructions. Obviously, the vehicle can be elongated to any desired extent and more than three sets of idlers can be provided on each side of such elongated models.

It will be appreciated that a. vehicle of the type described presents manifold advantages. In the construction all parts excepting the axles, brake wires, top covering and the endless belt or track arefabricated of light high strength metals such as aluminum and magnesium alloys. These parts may be extrusions, rolled stock, or sand, die or permanent mold castings. All moving parts are adequately housed or guarded so as to insure maximum protection against injury to the child using the vehicle. The running gear of the car comprises a series of independently, resiliently mounted units thus permitting smooth running over uneven surfaces. The simple effective steering and braking mechanism insures complete directional and speed control even on steep grades thus providing the maximum safety coupled with an extensive latitude of use on 'a pleasing variety of terrain. I

While a preferred modification of'the invention has been described it is to be understood that this is given to exemplify the underlying principles involved and not as limiting the useful scope of the invention to the particular illustrative embodiment;

I claim:

A'childrens vehicle comprising aframe provided with a substantially flush body-engaging surface, running gear supported on the frame, said running gear including a freely movable ground-engaging track positioned on each side of the vehicle and extending substantially the full length of the vehicle, a brake unit associated with each track, a pair of brake levers mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and positioned near the forward end of the vehicle linkage connecting the brake levers and brake units and including overrunning connection connecting each lever with each brake unit whereby each lever may be actuated to optionally apply either brake unit frictionally to direct the vehicle and the levers may be simultaneously actuated to apply both brake units to decelerate the vehicle.

CLETUS L. JASPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date 

